On Thursday, May 29, 2014, the Park Ridge Fire Department Responded to a Report of a House Fire

On Thursday, May 29, 2014 at 5:34 p.m., the Des Plaines Emergency Communication Center dispatched the Park Ridge Fire Department to a report of a house fire in the 1400 block of South Linden Avenue. The fire had reported as originating on the roof, near the rear of the home.

While the Fire Department was responding to the call, the Police Department arrived on scene and reported smoke and flames coming from the roof, along with information from a neighbor that a person could possibly still be inside the home. Prior to the Park Ridge Fire Department arrival, members of the Police Department forced the front door and did a quick search of the home. The house was found to be unoccupied and the homeowner was confirmed to be outside near a neighbor’s house. The Incident Commander on arrival confirmed a two story single family residence with smoke pushing from the eaves on the rear side of the house, with no visible flames. A neighbor was spraying water onto the roof with a garden hose. Fire crews stretched and advanced hose lines, and the Incident Commander requested a “Code 4 response” for the working fire incident. As Park Ridge Engines advanced hose lines for attack, the Rosemont Tower Ladder arrived on scene and was assigned to set up its aerial device to access the roof. Other companies arrived on scene and completed a primary search of the residence on all floors, confirming no occupants. Interior companies were finding it difficult to locate the seat of the fire, as significant charring had spanned a good portion of the attic. The Rosemont Tower Ladder company cut holes to ventilate the roof and once the roof was opened up the interior crews were able to pinpoint the seat of the fire and extinguish it. Extensive overhaul of the second floor ceiling was required. The remaining crew members inside assisted with overhaul.

Units that responded to the scene in addition to PRFD were: Rosemont Tower Ladder, Norwood Park Engine, Niles, North Maine Engine, Morton Grove, and a Lincolnwood Ambulance. Companies filling in at Park Ridge stations were Engines from Wheeling and Glenview, and an Ambulance from the Elk Grove Village Fire Department. The fire loss is estimated to be approximately $100,000.

Park Ridge Fire Investigators are continuing their investigation into the cause of the fire.